self–ruling

1 of, relating to, or favoring political democracy having rid itself of the yoke of colonialism, the new nation chose to be a self-ruling state Synonyms popular, republican, self-governing, self-rulingRelated Words representative; libertarian, nontotalitarianNear Antonyms autocratic (also autocratical), despotic, dictatorial, monarchal (or monarchial), monarchical (also monarchic), tyrannical (also tyrannic)Antonyms nondemocratic, undemocratic

2 not being under the rule or control of another was granted special status as a self-ruling province Synonyms autonomous, freestanding, independent, self-governed, self-governing, self-ruling, separate, sovereign (also sovran)Related Words freeborn; delivered, emancipated, freed, liberated, manumitted, redeemed, released; unconquered, unruled, unsupervised; empowered, enfranchised; democratic, republicanNear Antonyms bound, captive, conquered, enslaved, fettered, subdued, subjugated; inferior, subordinate, subservientAntonyms dependent, nonautonomous, non-self-governing, subject, unfree